76. Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that opposition to the recent issue of new toddy licences has 840 manifested itself in Ceylon, and that in a number of villages the inhabitants have refused either to sell or lease land for the establishment of taverns; whether he is aware that the Government agent has forced licences upon the people at Kalliliya, in the Hapitigam, Korale, and other places, and has alienated a portion of the village burial ground for the purpose; whether portions of road reservation at Pambala and Mattakotuva have been alienated for this purpose; whether Crown land has been utilised for sites at Kalagedera and Kapitiwelana; whether he will communicate with the Governor with a view to instituting an inquiry into these cases; and, if the facts are as stated, whether the licences issued will be withdrawn?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is probable that the opposition is, at least in many cases, not due to temperance principles. I am awaiting a report from the Governor with regard to the issue of licences in the Hapitigam, Korale, and other places.
77. Sir H. ROBERTSasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he has received complaints from planters in Ceylon concerning the increase of drunkenness among the coolies of the tea and rubber plantations since the new toddy shops were opened close to their borders; whether he has received a communication from the directors of one of the plantations concerned to the effect that the demoralisation of the people is a high price to pay for the increased revenue derived from these licences; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the continuance of these evils and their extension throughout the island?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI have received one or two complaints of this character, and am inquiring into the facts.